FIREFEST is an exciting celebration of fire – one of a ceramic artist’s most important tools. Fire is essential to create ceramic wares, and can be seductive and dangerous. During the Fire Fest evening, our staff will lead live Raku Kiln firings and CCBC Essex Professor Trisha Kyner will lead her students in a live Obvara Kiln firing. Both of these ceramic firing processes are thrilling and involve pulling a piece of clay from a 1650°F kiln, and then cooling it rapidly.

The night will begin with an amazing demonstration from Phil Valencia of Valencia Glass to showcase the incredible flexbility of molten glass. Baltimore Clayworks Resident Artist, Emily Lamb, will be working alongside Phil to show her skills with this extraordinary medium.

Baltimore Clayworks Noborigama Kiln will also be firing during Fire Fest. Our Woodkiln Technician Jeremy Wallace will lead students from Towson University, CCBC Essex, and Morgan State University through the full two-day firing process. During this time, the kiln needs a continuous supply of wood fed into it. The ash from the wood coats the work in the kiln and creates wonderful, rich glaze effects.. Once the kiln reaches the desired temperature of 2300°F, the firing ends and the kiln is left to cool for a week.

Our Clay Games will invite attendees to take part in multiple competitions that will test their clay skills! Winners will earn a ceramic award, handmade by artist and Towson ceramics professor Rich Holt.

Proceeds from this event will ensure the continuation of the incredible artistic and educational programs housed both at Baltimore Clayworks’ Mt. Washington studio and gallery, and in locations around Baltimore City through their Community Arts program.